Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, has donated business start-up kits, cash and assorted items to 50 physically challenged persons and others who have completed apprenticeship training programmes in the Ellembelle District.
The donation was as part of the livelihood empowerment support programme.
The items include ice-chests, gas cylinders, fufu machines, deep freezers, corn mills, dolmar chain saw machines and flat screen television sets, among others.
The donation formed part of the GHc1 million Ghana Gas Fund to ensure the human capital development and strengthen institutions.
Making the donation at Aiyinasi in the Western Region, Mr Buah who doubles as the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Ag Minister of Environment, Science and Technology said: “In the last five years, the Ghana National Gas Company gave the Ellembelle District GHc3 million but there was never a gathering like this to distribute livelihood empowerment kits to the people of Ellembelle.”
He added: “Today the GHc1 million is being shared to the 300 people in Ellembelle and this is a testament of good governance.”
The MP said the government would continue to empower the people and strengthen institutions with the tools and kits to deliver.
He said the government had shown keen interest in the physically challenged persons since they have a lot to contribute to society.
According to him, the government was focused on lifting Ellembelle and the entire Nzema high, adding that the last eight years of the John Evans Atta Mills-John Dramani Mahama witnessed an unprecedented development in the area before another eight years of economic stagnation set in under the previous regime.
He said the government would empower communities, individuals and institutions to stand on their feet and contribute meaningfully to development.
Mr Joseph Agyekum, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle said the government would tie in inclusivity with development and strengthen the livelihood empowerment support for persons living with disabilities to guarantee their dignity and self-reliance.
He said the human capital was the bedrock of development as such much attention would be paid to the welfare of the physically challenged.
His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay IX, the Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area lauded Mr Buah for such a bold and transformative initiative to invest in the human capital of the district.
He expressed gratitude to the MP and the DCE for their selfless leadership to invest their share of the Ghana National Gas Development Fund of GHc1 million in human capital development to assist 316 beneficiaries made up of disabled, needy and tertiary level students.
His Royal Majesty Awulae Blay said: “Without peace and unity, the MP and DCE could not push for development and advised people in Ellembelle to put personal interests aside.
Nana Etwe Kpanyinli III, Chief of Aiyinasi said the MP continued to bring development to almost every part of Ellembelle.
He asked the people to rally behind him in his political career as a development-oriented and selfless leader.
GNA
